Huckleberries: Strangest sight of them all along the Coeur d’Alene waterfront

I’ve seen unusual things along the waterfront during my 33 years in Coeur d’Alene. Weddings. Thong Man. Incredible fireworks shows on the Fourth of July and Black Friday.

But I’ve never seen a giant brown dice (or die, for the purists) with white dots wash ashore. Until Saturday. Mrs. O, Huckleberry the Beagle and I were walking along the north shore when we saw a crowd of firefighters surrounding the giant metal object. After deciding the dice wasn’t a bomb or toxic, the firefighters left, leaving the curious, like my little trio, to crowd in and take photos.

Later, Assistant City Administrator Sam Taylor joked on Huckleberries Online that the Lake City was introducing “new recreational experiences to the community” – and that it was becoming innovative with the placement of the “public art.”

The Parks Department decided to leave the dice where it was until Monday to avoid overtime. The dice was moved to the Memorial Field/Education Corridor area, north of City Park. It’ll stay there until someone claims it. Or until the city recycles it. Or the city dubs it public art and moves it to City Park. I prefer the third option. I’ve seen far worse public art.

Close calls X 3

So what does a moose, a cat and a mouse have in common? They are three animals that Val Fasthorse almost hit in a 20-minute period from home to the Coeur d’Alene Casino and back again Friday night.

Bullwinkle was up to bat first. Fortunately, the IT director of the Coeur d’Alene Indian Tribe was slowing as she rounded a curve. Mr. Moose was taking his sweet time crossing Highway 95 at the Coeur d’Alene Casino exit. He was in the middle of the road when Val hit her brakes.

Next, came the cat. We’ll call him Felix because he was black with a white face. Val was on her way home when Felix jumped in front of her car. Again, she hit the brakes and just missed it.

Finally, a mouse ran out in front of her, frantically trying to decide which way to run. This time, Val swerved and missed Mickey. A Facebook Friend asked Val why there were no near misses with dogs. Responded Val: “All dogs were practicing safe road crossing and looking both ways.”

Huckleberries

Poet’s Corner: “A sip of the emerald potion,/Will put your mind at ease./Consciousness soon dissipates,/Like flatus in the breeze” – Remember The Bard (“Niquilian Fog”) … Facebook Friend Kim Brown had reason to cheer this week: “My jury number is excused for two years! Woohoo!” As if you wouldn’t have the same reaction … First Sign of Spring: “The Flicker drilling on your metal chimney at 5 a.m. You get used to it after a while” – Charlie Greenwood, of Spokane … Another Sign of Spring: “Spring allergies chose to make their first appearance of the year” — wheezing Josh McDonald of the Shoshone News-Press Tuesday … SR photog Jesse Tinsley didn’t know who Eric Church was before he was assigned to photograph the country singer’s stop in Spokane Friday. But he quickly learned that the 10,000 fans who packed the Spokane Arena did.

Parting Shot

There’s gotta be a name for that first nice Sunday afternoon of the late winter when all the snow is gone and owners find themselves with spade and plastic bag in hand scooping up dog poop. Poopocalypse? Turd-o-Rama? My Huckleberry Friends suggested Tootsie Roll Patrol. Good Neighbor Pooch Poo Spring Cleanup. Poopsicle Pack-Out. No matter what you call it, all I have to say is this: You’re welcome, Huckleberry.